Feather-cleaning machine



Sept. 11, 1928.

R. W. KROBITZSCH FEATHER CLEANING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3&

' 1,683,905 R. w. KROBITZSCH FEATHER CLEANING MACHINE Flled June 16, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 1 l, 1928.

- iztim Patented Sept. 11, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. 1

ROBERT W. KROBITZSCH/OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T SUNSET FEATHER COMPANY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. I

FEATHER-CLEANING MACHINE.

Application filed June 16,

My invention relates to improvements in a machine for cleaning feathers and the like,

where n feathers, introduced into a cleaning chamber by an air current, are sub ected tothe action of a beating element to remove dust and dlrt, the dust and dlrt being drawn from the chamber by suction without loss of feathers. 4

The primary object of my invention is to removal of dirt, dust and refuse therefrom.

Another object is to provide an improved machine which will effectively remove heavy refuse and foreign matter from feathers prior to the introduction of said feathers into a cleaning chamber.

A further object is to provide an improved machine, wherein the dust outlet may be effectively cleaned and kept open to'per 5 mit an efficient removal of dust and dirt from the chamber during the cleaning operation.

A still further object is to provide an im proved machine which is simple and efficient and which can be economically constructedand operated. Y

I accomplish theseand other objects by means of the improved device disclosed in the drawings forming a part of the present specification, wherein like characters of reference are used to designate similar-parts throughout said specification and drawings and in which, i e

Fig. 1 is a broken transverse vertical section of the machine, and

Fig; 2 is a broken longitudinal vertical section of the machine.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1" is used to designate in general a cleaning chamber arranged to receive a quantity of feathers for cleaning. The feathers are introduced into the chamber 1 through a-plurality of substantially vertical conduits 2, connected at their upper ends to a' common supply conduit 3 arranged to receive feathers .blower, not shown, connected in any conof the beating arms 11. The arms are pref to embrace substantially the entire length of 1926. Serial No. 116,410.

introduced thereinto from a suitablehopper, not shown, the feathers being carried through the conduits 3 and 2 by a current of air directed therethrough by a suitable venient manner. Lateral extensions 4 are connected into the vertical conduits 2 near the bottoms thereof, said extensions opening into the lower portion of the chamber 1.

The conduits 2 are extended downwardly past the lateral extension 4 to form trap 6, arranged to receive heavy refuse in a manner hereinafter more fully explained; the bottom of said downwardly extending portions being closed by means of suitable removable covers 7, to permit the removal of refuse from the traps. Windows 8; normally closed" by suitable'covers 9 are preferably formed in the trap. portions 6, whereby the interior of the traps and the conduits maybe observed if desired. 70 A heating element is mounted within the lower portion of the chamber 1, said beating element consisting of a plurality of radially disposed arms 11 secured upon a shaft 12 extending longitudinally through the lower portion of the chamber 1, said arms beingpreferably curved and split at the outer ends, as at 13, toobtain an increased stirring and beating effect. The arms are spaced along the shaft 12 and preferably arranged with an arm opposite each conduit 4, whereby feathers introduced through said conduits I will be subjected immediately to the action the shaft, the

erably arranged spirally along substantially arms being angularly spaced ninety degrees apart.

An opening 14: is formed in the top of the chamber 1, said opening being covered by a suitable screen 16. A housing 17 is mounted upon the top of the chamber 1 to enclose the screened opening '14. A suction connection 18 opens into one side of the housing 17, said connection being widened at its upper end the housing 17 Suction is induced in the connection 18 by means of a blower or other suitable means, not shown, said suction not operating to draw dust and dirt out of the chamber 1 through the screen 16, hereinafter more fully explained.

In order to keep the screen 16 clean and to prevent the accumulation of feathers upon the screen, I provide brushes 19 secured upon arms 21, which are in turn secured upon a shaft 22 extending longitudinally through theupper portion of the chamber 1 parallel to the shaft 12 The brushes 19 are arranged to engage the inner surface of the screen 16 and operate to brush away the feathers and to loosen any dirt or dust clinging to the screen, whereby the screen may be kept open to permit the free movement of dust and dirt therethrough.

The upper surface of the screen is preferably cleaned by means of brushes 23', slidably mounted within the housing 17 and arranged to be reciprocatedby means of arms 24: pivotally engaging links 26 connectedthrough the housing 17. The backs of the brushes 23 have openings 28 formed therethrough to permit a free circulation of air and to prevent the brushes from forming any material obstruction to the movement of dust and dirt outwardly from the chamber 1". The brushes are slidably supported upon slats 29 mounted at in ervals to brace the screen 16.

A suction conduit 31 is connected into the lower portion of the cl amber l,v said connection being normally closed and arranged to be opened and suction applied for with.- drawing feathers from the chamber 1 after said feathers have been cleaned.

The chamber 1 preferably has its top and bottom made semi-circular cross section, the arms 11 being of a length such that a slight cleaiance is provided between the ends of said arms and the bottom of the chamber while the brus ies 19 are arrangedto sweep the inner surface of. the top portion of the chamber and the screen 17, which is shuoed and held concentric- .with the top of the chamber by slats 29.

The c iamber is preferably constructed from suit-able sheet metal and supported upon a suitable structural iron frame 32.

V The shafts 1,2 and 22 extend outwardly through the ends of the chamberl and are provided with pulleys and 24 respectively. A belt 36 is mounted over the pulleys 33 and 34, whereby the shafts'are rotated simultaneously, power being delivered to one of the shafts in any Suitable manner, not shown. A belt 3. iii-connected over pulleys 88 and 39 mounted upon the shafts 22 and 28, respectively, for rotating the shaft 28 to operate the brushes 23.

In operation the feathers are fed into the supply conduit in any convenient manner and carried 'by a moving current of air downwardly t'hrough the conduits 2. The

in transverse air current passes into the chamber 1 through the lateral extensions 4, the feathers being carried by the air current into the chamber. Any heavy'refuse present is not diverted by the air current and drops downwardly into the trap 1 As the feathers enter the chamber 1 they are stirred and beaten by the arms 11, which are operated at suilicient speed to beat all dust and dirt out of the feathers and to keep the feathers in constant agitation within the chamber. As the dust and dirt is beaten out of the feathers it is drawn upwardly by the upward circulation of air toward the opening 14% in the top of the chamber, said dust and dirt being drawn through the. screen and outwardly through the conduit 18 by the suction applied there" through. 7

:Heavy particles of dirt orrefuseare thrown outwardly through the conduit ex tensions 4 by centrifugal force and are received in the traps 6. The feathers being heavierthan the dust particles remain for the most part witl'iin the lower portion of the chamber. A portionef the feathers are carried upwardly into the upper portion of the chamber, such feathers being prevented from passing outwardly with the dirt and dust through the opening 1% by the screen 16. The suction operating through the connection 18 tends to hold some of the feathers against the inner surface of the screen 16.

The rotating brushes 19 sweeping across the inner surface of the screen 16" remove-the feathers from said screen and prevent the acculumation of the feathers in 'suflicient quantity to materially interfere with the movement of dust, and dirt outwardly through the screen. Occasionally feathers become lodged upon the screen by reason of the movement of the quill. portions through the interstices-of the screen, I The brushes 23 are reciprocated across the top of't'he screen to d slodge said feathers and force the same back into the chamber 1. V

In practice stean'i is introduced into the chamber 1 through suitablesteam connections 41 opening into the lower portion of the chamber, and warm or cool aircurrents introduced through the conduits 3 while the feathers are being agitated within the chamber. In my preferred practice, steam, is first introduced immediately after a charge of feathers has -been intr duced into the chamber. A current of cold-air is then introduced to condense the steam and par- Steam is then again 1 suction appliedinany convenient manner to draw the feathers out of'the chamber 1,

the feathers being carriedby a current of air resulting from an incoming current enter'ingthe chamber through the conduits 2 and passing outwardly through the suction conduit 31. I V

While I have illustrated and described what I now regard as the preferred embodiment of my invention, the device is, of course, subject to modification in the specific details of construction. fItherefore do not wish to restrict myself to the specific construction disclosed, but. dcs're to avail myself ofall modifications which may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Havingthus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

i l. A feather cleaningmachine comprising a chamber; a beating element mounted within the lower portion of the chamber; means for introducing feathers to be cleaned into' the chamber; suction means connected to an opening formed in the top of the chamber to carry away dust and dirt'separated from the feathers; a screen covering said opening; means mounted within the upper portion of the chamber for cleaning the inner side of screen to prevent the lodging of feathers therein; means mounted adjacent the outer side of the screen and operatin "t simultaneously 7 with the inner cleaning means for displacingfeathers not removed by said inner cleaning means; and means for withdrawing the feathers from the machine. i

2. A feather cleanin machine com risin a chamber; a heating element mounted with in the lower portion of the chamber; means for introducingfeathers to be cleaned into the chamber; suction means connected to an opening formed in the upper portion of the chamber for carrying away dust and dirt separated from the feathers; a screen covering said opening; means rotatably mounted within the upper portion of the chamber and arranged to engage the inner surface of the screen to clean the same;

reciprocating means-engaging the outer surface of the screen and operating simultane- -ously with the inner cleaning means for dislodging feathers therefrom; and means for withdrawing the feathers from the machine.

3. A feather cleaning machine comprising a chamber; a beating element mounted with in the lower portion of the chamber; means for introducting feathers to be cleaned into the chamber; suction means connected to an opening formed in the upper portion of the chamber for carrylng away dust and dirt separated from the feathers; a screen covering said opening; brushes rotatably mounted within the upper portion of the chamber and arranged to engage the inner'surface of the screen for cleaning the same; "brushes mounted adjacent the outer, surface of the screen and operating simultaneously with chamber; a plurality of beating arm'sHse cured upon the shaft; suction means con nected to an opening formed in the upper portion of the chamber for carrying away dust and dirt separated from the feathers;

a screen covering .the opening; a second shaft mounted within the upper portion of the chamber; brushes mounted upon the shaft and arranged to be moved thereby to engage the inner surface of the screen; means connected between the shafts whereby 'said shafts may be rotated simultaneously; and means for withdrawing the cleaned feathers from the chamber.

5. A feather cleaning machine comprising a chamber; means for introducing feathers into the lower portion ofthe chamber to be cleaned; a suction conduitconnected to an opening formed in the upper portion of the chamber; a screen coveringthe opens"; lower portions of the chamber and e tend ing longitudinally therethrough; means for rotating the shafts; a plurality of beating arms secured upon the lower shaftfor beating the feathers to remove dust and dirt therefrom, said dust and dirt being drawn off through the suction conduit and the the screen; brushes secured upon the upper shafts mounted within the upper and shaft and arranged to engage the inner surface of the screen for cleaning the same and to prevent the accumulation of feathers thereon; means engaging the outer surface of the screen and operating simultaneously with the brushesv for dislodging feathers therefrom; andmeansfor withdrawing the cleaned feathers from the chamber. a

6. A feather cleaning machine comprising a chamber; a vertically disposed conduit provided with'a laterally disposed extensionconnected into the lower portion of the chamber for introducing feathers and air currents'into the chamber; a trap formed by a downward extension of the vertical conduit'to catch heavy refuse carried with the feathers; a beating element mounted within the lower portion of the chamber for beating the feathers to remove dust and dirt therefrom; a suction conduit connected to" an opening formed in the top of the chant her; a screen covering said opening and'ar- I ranged to permit the movement of dust and dirt therethrough and to retain the feathers within the chamber; means for cleaning the screen to prevent the accumulation of feathers thereon; and means for withdrawing the cleaned feathers.

7. A feather cleaning machine comprising a chamber ;:means for introducing feathers to be cleaned and air currents into the lower portion of the chamber, said means comprising a p luralityof vertically disposed conduits having lateral extensions opening into the lower portion of 'the'chamber and having downward extensions forming traps arranged to catch heavy refuse introduced with the feathers; beating means mounted within the chamber for removing dust and dirt from the feathers; means for conducting the dust and dirt away from the chamber; and means for Withdrawing the cleaned feathers from the chamber.

8. A feather cleaning machine comprising a chamber; means for introducing feat-hers tobe cleanedand air currents into the chamber, said means comprising a plurality of vertically disposed conduits having lateral extensions opening into the lower portion of the chamber and having downward extensions forming traps arranged to catch heavy refuseintroduced with the feathers; beating means mounted within the chamber for removing dust and dirt from the feathers; a suction conduit connected to an opening formed in the upper portion of the chamber for drawing oif dust and dirt separated from the feathers; a screen covering the opening; and means for cleaning the screen to prevent the accumulation of feathers thereon.

9; A feather cleaning machine, comprising a chamber; means for introducing feathers to be cleaned and air currents into the chamber, said means comprising a plu rality of vertically disposed conduits having lateral extensions opening into the lower portion of the chamber and having downward extensions forming traps arranged to catch heavy refusev introduced with the feathers; beating means mounted within the lower portion of the chamber for remov- 1ng dust and dirt from the feathers; a suction conduit connected to an opening formed in the upper portion of the chamber for drawing off dust and dirt separatedfrom the feathers; andbrushes rotatably mounted within the upper portion of the chamber and arranged to engage the inner side of the screen for cleaning the same and to prevent the accumulation of feathers thereon;

10. A feather cleaning machine comprising a chamber; means for introducing feathers to be cleaned and air currents into the chamber, said means comprising a plurality of vertically disposed conduits having lateral extensions opening into the lower lower portion of the chamber for removing dust and dirt from thefeathers; a suction conduit connected to an opening formed in the upper portion of the chamber for draw ing elf dust and dirt separated from the feathers; and brushes rotatably mounted within the upper portion of the chamber and arranged to engage the inner side of the screen for cleaning the same and to prevent the accumulation of feathers thereon; and means engagingthe outer side of the screen for dislcdging feathers therefrom. I

ll. A feather cleaning machine comprising a chamber; means for introducing feath ers to be cleaned. and air currents, into he chamber, said means comprising a plurality of vertically disposed conduits having lateral extensions opening into the lower portion of the chamber and having downward extensions-forming traps arranged to catch heavy refuse introduced with the featl-n ers; beating means mounted within the lower portion of the chamber for removing dust and dirt from the feathers; a suction conduit connected to an opening formed in the upper portion of the chamber for drawing off dust and dirt separated from the.

feathers; and brushes rotatably mounted within the upper portion of the chamber and arranged to engage the inner side of the screen fer cleaning the same and to prevent the accumulation of feathers thereon; and reciprocating brushes mounted adjacent the outer surface of the screen for dislodging feathers therefrom. 1

12. In a feather cleaning machine, thecombination with'a screened outlet arran ed" to permit the removal of dust and dirt and to prevent the removal of feat-hers,; of brushes mounted ad acent the inner surface of the screen to clean the sameand to pre introducin feathers into said chamber to w b u 0 0 u be cleanec, said meanscomprising vertically disposed conduits provided with lateral extensions opening into the chamber whereby feathers may be carried by an air current into the chamber; and downward extensions connected to the vertical conduit'sfto form traps to catch heavy refuse introduced with the feathers.

14-. In a feather cleaning machine, the combination with a chamber, of-means for introducing feathers into said chamber to becleaned, said means comprising vertically disposed conduits provided with lateral extensions opening into the chamber whereby feathers may be carried by an air current into the chamber; and downward extensions connected to the vertical conduits to form traps to catch heavy refuse introduced with the feathers; and removable covers closing the bottoms of the downward extensions whereby traps may be opened for cleaning, v

In witness whereof, I hereunto set my signature.

ROBERT w imonrrzson. 

